No place for reckless stupidity in office

OUR VIEW

What does it mean to be an elected representative of the people these days?

Too often in Tennessee, it has nothing to do with treating people fairly and with dignity, or simply acting professionally.

We refer, of course, to state Sen. Stacey Campfield, who seems to enjoy using his legislative power to intimidate vulnerable groups of people.

But it isn't just the Knoxville Republican. Add now the Coffee County commissioner who apparently thinks it's funny (or perhaps macho) to suggest that Muslims' place is at the end of a gun barrel.

That's the image suggested by a meme that Commissioner Barry West of Manchester posted on his Facebook page. The picture shows a man pointing a shotgun at the camera and squinting down the barrels, with the words: "How to wink at a Muslim."

Why would anyone see humor in that notion is the first question for many of us. Still, let's not fool ourselves. Our state has more than its fair share of bigots. But shouldn't Tennesseans be able to expect better from their public servants?

Not only did West disseminate this hateful image online, but when it became obvious that he had offended many people, he was unapologetic: "No I did not create this picture ? yes I shared it ? so why am I being singled out?"

Shades of Sen. Campfield, who beat a libel claim recently despite posting false information impugning the reputation of a Democratic House candidate in 2008. Campfield never apologized, blaming it all on state Rep. Glen Casada, who passed the information to Campfield. But Campfield didn't bother to confirm the information before blogging about it.

Not Campfield's fault. Not Barry West's fault. No accountability. No regrets.

West sits on a commission governing more than 50,000 county residents. Campfield as a state senator, far more people than that.

How can they continue to ask these people to trust them? They are a disgrace to their offices.

Constituents want and need leadership, not reckless invitations to discriminate or commit violence against innocent people.

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No place for reckless stupidity in office

What does it mean to be an elected representative of the people these days?